Born in Dublin, Luke the Laker grew up on Lower Baggot Street, just down the way from Catherine McAuley’s first House of Mercy. Luke bleeds green and blue and is ready to cheer on our student-athletes and do all he can in support of Mercyhurst pride.

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Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, on a hill overlooking Lake Erie, our 75-acre Main Campus is known as one of the most beautiful in the region. Elements of English Gothic architecture are carried throughout our Old Main, academic buildings and student residence halls.

COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS

We hope you are staying healthy and adjusting to the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 situation. As our seniors and soon-to-be graduates near the end of their academic study at Mercyhurst, our thoughts begin to turn to spring commencement.

In normal times, we would mark this much-anticipated occasion with a host of celebrations on our Erie and North East campuses. Unfortunately, these are not normal times. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the limitations it presents for travel and large gatherings, we will not be able to celebrate graduation with the ceremonies and events originally planned for early May.

We realize the disappointment this announcement entails for the Mercyhurst community, especially for our seniors and soon-to-be graduates. To the Class of 2020: please know that your achievements at Mercyhurst will not go unrecognized, and we appreciate your sacrifices and understanding as we work through this crisis together. You have all contributed greatly to the fabric of our community during your years at Mercyhurst, and you deserve the chance to be celebrated accordingly. Degrees will still be granted on time, as will the announcement of graduation award winners and other honorees.

Although we are still exploring possible dates and locations, please know that a graduation celebration will occur, and graduates and their families will be invited to attend. In addition, we will find creative ways for graduates and families unable to attend to participate fully in the celebrations wherever they may be.

Thank you for your understanding on this difficult matter. You have all demonstrated great strength and resilience in an uncertain time, and we look forward to honoring you as Mercyhurst graduates soon. On behalf of Mercyhurst, we wish you and your family safety and well-being in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Leanne M. Roberts, Ph.D.Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

March 23, 2020

Dear Residential Student:

Due to rapidly changing developments in the COVID-19 global situation, Mercyhurst University has currently transitioned to remote campus operation. Our campuses are currently closed to all persons, with exception of a limited number of essential employees per an order from Governor Wolf's office. Per a directive from the Erie County Department of Health, residential students who were on campus as of Wednesday, March 18th were instructed to quarantine in-place through Saturday, March 21st. As a result of this order, students who had indicated that they were intending on returning for their belongings were instructed to wait until further notice.

We understand that many students would like to return to gather their belongings. Please know that there is no urgency to come and get your belongings at this time. We will safeguard your items in your current residential space until conditions regarding COVID-19 are more stable. In order to best be able to assist our students, but also ensure the safety of our campus community (and respect Social Distancing), we are asking that all students complete the following form:

2. Check-out and Belonging Status (required) form found under Housing Forms.

Regardless as to whether you have already gathered your belongings, we ask that you complete this form so that we can best communicate with you moving forward. If you can, please complete this form by Monday, March 30th.

We will use the above form to best assist our students in claiming their belongings. Please be aware, that at the time of this communication, an order to shelter-in-place has not been ordered for Erie County or the Mercyhurst University community. Should such an order be put in place, all prior arrangements and approvals to return to campus will be placed on hold until the shelter-in-place order has been lifted.

We understand that this is an extremely stressful and anxiety provoking time. We thank you for your patience. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you should have any questions. We do hope that you and your family are keeping safe.

Sincerely,

Residence Life

March 23, 2020

Dear Students,

I’m writing first to tell you that our thoughts are with you and your families and to reassure you that we are working every day to build ways to keep our Mercyhurst family supported and connected during the time we can’t be together on our beloved campuses. No one has prior experience with what we’re currently navigating; however I assure you that we are ready to walk this path, together with you, to finish out the spring 2020 semester.

I am inspired by the ways our faculty and support staff have come together to keep teaching and providing services despite the world events and the geographic and social distances that are now part of our daily lives. I want you to know that we are aware that all our students are facing unique challenges as they adjust to different kinds of home, school, and work situations. Some students may not have access to technology or internet service that will support some of the online work; others may need to provide support to their families as they cope with changes in work and home life routines. Your instructors stand ready to meet you where you are in this unexpected journey. If you are experiencing any difficulties with your courses, communicate that to them. In addition to your faculty, Mercyhurst has an entire team, the backbone of our student support services, that is ready to assist and support you.

It is essential that we work as a team to stay connected. Whether it is within a course or in regard to scheduling or a support service, we are asking that you reach out to usand expect that you will be hearing from members of the Mercyhurst team on a regular basis.

In addition to the communication coming from your faculty members, all academic support and services information is available to you through the Mercyhurst HUB. Your academic counselors, library, writing center, and tutoring center personnel are now only a video office visit, an email, or a phone call away. In addition, if you are having challenges specifically with connectivity to support online access to courses, we have designed a system and put a team in place to assist. Simply submit this connectivity form. If you cannot access the form, please email one of your faculty members and/or Associate Provost Andrea Barnett (abarnett@mercyhurst.edu).

As part of the Mercyhurst family, know that the Sisters of Mercy are with us as we face this challenge together. Their courage and resilience gave life to our university, and their abiding faith in the transformative power of compassion stands as a beacon that will see us through to the other side of this challenge. In the meantime, know that your faculty, administrators, staff, and fellow Lakers and Saints stand with you in love and hope. All of us, our families, loved ones and our Mercyhurst community will come through, stronger than ever.

With deepest regards,

Dr. Roberts

Leanne M. Roberts, Ph.D.Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Words cannot convey how much I value each one of you. As we find our way through these challenging days and weeks ahead, please know that no matter how far apart we may be, we are still one family and we are in this together.

During these uncertain and rapidly changing times, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of the entire Mercyhurst community.

Effective Friday, March 20, at 8 p.m., all university residence halls will close. All students living on campus, including those who’ve already left, are asked to complete the On-Campus Resident Intentions Form.

As availability permits, Residence Life staff members will be on hand to answer questions and provide information as needed.

For students who have already returned home:

If possible, please plan on returning to campus to pack up all your belongings and fully move out of your campus residence by March 20.

If you are unable to return to pack up your belongings by March 20 due to travel or other restrictions, please email reslife@mercyhurst.edu to make alternate arrangements.

If you have already left campus and are experiencing symptoms, or are currently self-quarantining, please do not return to campus. Please email reslife@mercyhurst.edu and we will assist you in making alternate arrangements to have someone pack up your belongings.

For students requesting a short-term deadline extension:

If additional time is needed to make arrangements to leave campus, please request a short-term extension when completing the On-Campus Resident Intentions Form. Short-term extensions will not be granted beyond 5 p.m. on March 22.

We will evaluate all requests to remain on campus and contact students by Wednesday morning with additional steps.

For students requesting a long-term deadline extension:

We recognize that some students may be unable to safely return to their permanent residences due to travel restrictions or other extenuating circumstances. If you need to remain on campus beyond March 22, please request a long-term extension when completing On-Campus Resident Intentions Form.

We will evaluate all requests to remain on campus and contact students by Wednesday morning with additional steps.

For students who are granted permission to remain in campus residences after March 22, additional safety precautions and procedures will be in place:

Students remaining on campus will likely be required to relocate to another campus residence to allow for the creation of potential quarantine locations.

No off-campus visitors or overnight guests will be permitted in residences.

Limited university dining services will be available.

The Cohen Student Health Center will be limited to emergency situations only.

The REC Center will not be available.

Access to the campus mail room will be limited.

All on-campus events and in-person student life programming are canceled.

Other campus facilities, including the library and computer labs, may be closed or available on a limited basis.

Limited on-campus storage may be available. To request on-campus storage, please email reslife@mercyhurst.edu. Other off-campus storage opportunities may be available.

More detailed information, including answers to frequently asked questions, will be available later today.

We understand how difficult and disruptive the COVID-19 crisis has been for you, your families, and the Mercyhurst community, and we thank you for your continued patience and compassion during this time.

Sincerely,

Laura Zirkle, Ph.D.Vice President for Student Life

March 16, 2020

Dear Mercyhurst Students & Parents:

I am writing to provide an important update regarding operations at Mercyhurst University for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation.

On Friday, the university announced it would move to remote instruction for a two-week period while allowing residential students to remain on campus. Since that time, a National Emergency has been declared and new guidance has been by the Centers for Disease Control, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. On Sunday, Pennsylvania cases of COVID-19 jumped from 16 to a total of 69, and cases continue to rise nationally at an alarming rate, prompting calls for more extreme social distancing. It is clear that resuming in-class instruction this semester is no longer feasible.

Therefore, I am announcing that the university has decided to move entirely to remote instruction for the rest of the semester. We are asking students currently living on campus to return home by Friday, March 20. Student can request a temporarily extension through Sunday, March 22, if necessary.

We understand that for some members of our community it may not be possible to move home, and we realize the fear of not having a safe alternative is very real. For that reason, students may petition for an exemption to stay on campus either for a temporary period while arrangements are being made, or in extraordinary circumstances, for the remainder of the semester. Mercyhurst North East students who need to stay will be accommodated on the Erie campus. Services will be scaled down as we seek to implement social distancing measures advocated by the CDC to minimize health risks.

Residence Life will be in touch shortly with additional details, including the process for checking out and requesting exemptions.Start preparing now! Information on credits or refunds for prorated portions of room and board is also forthcoming and will be addressed on the COVID-19 website.

From the beginning of this pandemic, we have worked to safeguard the health and well-being of our university community while providing our students the opportunity to continue their education without interruption. For many of you, the steps we are taking may involve significant inconvenience and personal sacrifice. Please accept my gratitude for your goodwill and understanding as we navigate this difficult situation.

In this uncertain time, I have every confidence in our community’s ability to draw on our Mercy values and pull together with kindness, care, and concern for the common good. In the days and weeks ahead, we will explore ways to ensure our unique, special community thrives through virtual engagement.

So, to all of you: thank you, stay well – and above all – help each other. We are in this together. In the words of Catherine McAuley, “The tender Mercy of God has given us one another.”

Carpe Diem,

Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D.President

March 16, 2020

Dear Mercyhurst Colleagues:

I am writing to provide an important update regarding operations at Mercyhurst University for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. I am notifying you – our faculty and staff – in advance of notifying our students so that you can process this information and better support our students when this news is announced. My email to students will be sent in approximately 30 minutes.

On Friday, the university announced it would move to remote instruction for a two-week period while allowing residential students to remain on campus. Since that time, a National Emergency has been declared and new guidance has been released by the Centers for Disease Control, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. On Sunday, Pennsylvania cases of COVID-19 jumped from 16 to a total of 69, and cases continue to rise nationally at an alarming rate, prompting calls for more extreme social distancing. It is clear that resuming in-class instruction this semester is no longer feasible.

Therefore, I am announcing that the university has decided to move entirely toremote instruction for the rest of the semester. We are asking students currently living on campus to return home by Friday this week. We realize there are students for whom this may be problematic, and we will work with them to find solutions.

The university’s Critical Incident Response Team is working through the particulars of how this process will go forward, and we ask for your patience and support as we assist our residential students in their untimely departures from campus over the coming week.

We are also implementing new protocols to support efforts at effective social distancing for employees who must be on campus to complete their work. We are suspending the Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workweek effective immediately to allow employees to work in staggered shifts, and on the weekends to reduce person-to-person interaction. Telecommuting will be heavily preferred for individuals whose job function is amenable. Additional measures will be announced in the coming days.

Vice presidents are currently analyzing functions and personnel in their respective areas. Your vice president and department supervisor will be in touch in the coming days with additional information about these changes and how they will be implemented in your department.

This is a challenging and unprecedented time, and our daily lives will see sweeping changes in the coming weeks and months. I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary dedication and efforts of our Mercyhurst faculty and staff. It’s times like these when we draw on our Mercy values and pull together as the tightly knit community that has gotten us through nearly 100 years.

So, to all of you: thank you, keep up the good work – and above all – help each other. We are in this together. In the words of Catherine McAuley, “The tender Mercy of God has given us one another.”

Due to rapidly changing developments in the COVID-19 global situation, Mercyhurst University will transition from in-person classroom instruction to remote instruction, effective March 16-27.

During this two-week pause in face-to-face teaching, the university will remain open. Residential students may continue to reside on campus. Residence halls, dining services, and other facilities will be open, although some may operate with different restrictions in place.

The rationale for this decision is to mitigate the gathering of large groups of students, with classes being the most common form. The decision is consistent with the CDC’s recommendation to increase social distancing, which it has identified as a crucial mechanism by which to help “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

It is also consistent with today’s decision by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to cancel all practices for the next two weeks as well as all remaining competitions, including championships, for the rest of the spring semester. Coaches will be in touch with their student-athletes to provide additional details.

Meanwhile, students will be contacted by their faculty through email, Blackboard or Teams to explain how classes will be delivered remotely from March 16 through March 27. If it becomes necessary to continue online instruction beyond two weeks, advance notice will be provided.

Additionally, those allied health and nursing students engaged in clinical rotations, police academy cadets, and those doing their student teaching will be contacted by their program directors regarding how these changes will affect them.

Staff and administration should report to work as usual unless approved to conduct business from home.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We are confident the measures we are putting into place are the most responsible in terms of maintaining the health and well-being of our campus community while allowing students to continue their academic progress.

Currently, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Mercyhurst campus. For institutions, like Mercyhurst, that do not have COVID-19 identified in their communities, the CDC guidance is to plan and prepare; the CDC is NOT currently advising widespread closures of colleges and universities. Following this guidance from the CDC and state health officials, Mercyhurst is not canceling classes or closing at this time. We are preparing for every possible contingency. Should CDC guidance on the matter change, we will evaluate our course of action and adapt appropriately.

Colleges and universities that have announced class suspensions or campus closures have arrived at their decisions based on different institutional circumstances which lead different CDC recommendations and COVID-19 susceptibilities and/or different spring break travel schedules. Students at most of these institutions are either currently on spring break or about to depart for spring break, risking the possibility that students could contract COVID-19 elsewhere and transmit the virus back to their campus. As our spring break already occurred, the safest course of action for Mercyhurst students, faculty, and staff is for students to remain on campus and continue with classes.

Policy Change 1:

As of March 11, the CDC has expanded the number of countries designated as Level 3 for COVID-19 to include all European countries, other than the United Kingdom and Ireland. Any member of the Mercyhurst community who has returned from one of these countries in the past 14 days (anytime on or after Feb. 26, 2020) must also immediately report that travel and begin a 14-day home quarantine which begin the day after returning from travel. Please see the Mercyhurst COVID-19 website for more information on how to report and quarantine. As a result of this quarantine expansion, you may notice the departure of some students, faculty, or staff in the upcoming days; this should NOT be interpreted as an indication of any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Policy Change 2:

Regarding university athletics, until further notice, spectators will not be permitted at any contests or games hosted on Mercyhurst’s campus. We will continue to livestream these events, and provide live stats and updates on social media, to provide our families and fans the opportunity to view Mercyhurst athletic competitions. In addition, all travel for non-traditional season competitions and exhibitions will be canceled. All conference-wide standards related to COVID-19 will be enacted, including the elimination of all post-game handshakes.

Policy Change 3:

Effective immediately, Mercyhurst is implementing a guest screening and registration requirement for all visitors to campus. Explicit university permission and record of each visitor’s completion of the screening process, available at mercyhurst.edu/guest, are required. For the safety of all our guests and the safety of the Mercyhurst community, we are requiring any visitor who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who had recent close contact with anyone with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 to forgo their visit to campus. Notices at every campus entrance and building entrance will lay out the protocols all guests and visitors are expected to follow.

In the upcoming days and weeks, we are anticipating a rapid release of new university policies and restrictions; be sure to check the university’s COVID-19 webpage, mercyhurst.edu/coronavirus, daily for the latest updates. All official university news, updates and communications will be posted there.

Please continue to practice preventive health measures to slow the spread of the virus and lessen any eventual effects in our community. Crucially, to limit potential exposure to the virus, students, faculty, and staff are advised to avoid all nonessential personal travel, even within the local community, and avoid crowded gatherings like movie theaters, shopping malls, restaurants, and bars.

I appreciate your ongoing preventive health efforts and understanding during this time.

As you know, Mercyhurst is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and providing consistent updates to you as the situation evolves. We have launched a website for you to access the latest information and we encourage you to visit it regularly.

I established a task force of senior leadership and subject-matter experts that has been convening since late January, and is now meeting daily to prepare our university’s response to this ongoing and unpredictable public health crisis.

At this time, we are aware of no cases of coronavirus on our campus or in Erie County, although as of this morning, state health officials announced there are 12 confirmed cases in eastern Pennsylvania. There are eight cases in Montgomery County, one each in Wayne, Monroe and Delaware counties, and one in Philadelphia. In addition, three cases were recently identified in Cuyahoga County, Ohio – less than 90 minutes from Erie.We continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with our state and local departments of health.

Our utmost concern at this time is preventing the introduction and/or spread of the illness within our community while continuing the important work of our university. Your cooperation will help to ensure an appropriate response across our institution to this rapidly changing matter.

It is understandable to feel uncertain or anxious during a public health crisis, but the best course of action at this time is to maintain awareness, take preventive measures, and remain calm. We will continue to monitor and update you as the situation evolves. Please know we are doing everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our community.

Thank you and Carpe Diem,

Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D.President

March 11, 2020

Dear Students,

Although the University is not currently aware of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campuses or locations, we cannot emphasize enough the need for each of us to do our part in helping to mitigate the potential introduction and spread of the COVID-19.

Toward that end, the University has implemented and continues to evaluate potential mitigation strategies across campus. These strategies include promoting CDC prevention strategies, increasing our housekeeping efforts, reducing nonessential travel, and limiting on-campus events that involve large numbers of attendees.

At this time, the University is continuing in-person classes; however, alternative mechanisms of instruction remain a possibility as part of our plans in the days and weeks ahead. Faculty will be practicing remote tools in the coming days in the event this contingency is needed.

However, the University is implementing a procedure for “at-risk” students to complete their academic work from home through remote options. Based on the CDC’s most recent guidance (as of March 8), the following individuals are potentially at a higher risk from the virus:

Students in either category or with other warranted reasons who would like to request a temporary remote study option should submit their requests to health@mercyhurst.edu with a subject line “Study from Home Request.” The request should indicate the reason for the request (e.g., age-related, chronic health condition, etc.) and the date the student intends to return to their home. The Health Center and Academic Support staffs will work directly with the individual and their faculty on the request.

The University continues to closely follow developments around the spread of the virus and will keep our community apprised of any additional measures that may be implemented going forward. Information and recommendations will be updated on an ongoing basis and can be found on the university's COVID-19 webpage.

If you would like more information about symptoms and prevention of this disease, please go visit the CDC website.

As always, if you travel to an area that has high risk of COVID-19 and are concerned about symptoms upon your return, please call the Cohen Student Health Center at 814-824-2431; or, on the North East Campus, contact Vineyard Primary Care at 814-877-7711.

Sincerely,

Laura Zirkle, Ph.D.Vice President for Student Life

March 11, 2020

Dear All Employees,

The University is NOT currently aware of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campuses or locations. We have three individuals (two students and one employee) in home self-quarantine related to recent international travel. None of these affected individuals returned to campus following their travels. In recognition of the threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus, the University is implementing mitigation strategies across campus that include communication initiatives, increased cleaning, reduction in non-essential travel, and cancellation of on-campus events which involve large numbers of attendees. Please work with your area Vice President using criteria posted on our COVID-19 webpage to determine whether your event will continue as-is, continue with mitigation strategies, or be cancelled or postponed.

The University is also implementing a procedure for “at-risk” individuals to request the ability to temporarily telecommute from home. The CDC’s Emergency Preparedness Response (HANS) (updated 3/8/2020) identifies the following individuals as being at a higher risk from the virus.

Employees in either category or with other warranted reasons who would like to request a temporary work-from-home option should begin by submitting that request to hrinfo@mercyhurst.edu with a subject line Work From Home Request. The request should indicate the reason for the request (age-related, chronic health condition, other, etc.), the name of the individual’s immediate supervisor and Vice President. The Department of Human Resources will work directly with the individual and their department on the request.

The University continues to closely follow developments around the spread of the virus and will keep the University community apprised of any additional measures that may be implemented going forward. This situation is evolving rapidly and we ask that everyone continue to do their part to help mitigate the spread by following the prevention strategies provided by the CDC.

Please visit the Mercyhurst University COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you,

Jamie BrenemanDirector of Human Resources

March 11, 2020

Dear Mercyhurst Parents,

Although the University is not currently aware of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campuses or locations, we are doing everything possible to mitigate the potential introduction and spread of COVID-19.

In late January, Mercyhurst President Michael Victor established a task force of senior leadership and subject-matter experts that has been meeting regularly, and now is convening daily to evaluate and implement our university’s response to this ongoing and unpredictable public health crisis.

Toward that end, we would like to direct your attention to an online resource we have established to keep you apprised of the latest developments. Information, policies, communications and recommendations are being updated daily and can be found on Mercyhurst's coronavirus webpage.

At this time, the University is continuing in-person classes; however, alternative mechanisms of instruction remain a possibility as part of our plans in the days and weeks ahead. Faculty will be practicing remote tools with our students in the coming days in the event this contingency is needed.

However, the University is implementing a procedure for “at-risk” students to complete their academic work from home through remote options. Based on the CDC’s most recent guidance (as of March 8), the following individuals are potentially at a higher risk from the virus:

Students in either category or with other warranted reasons who would like to request a temporary remote study option have been directed to submit their requests to health@mercyhurst.edu. The Health Center and Academic Support staffs will work directly with the student and their faculty on the request.

We continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with our state and local departments of health. Our utmost concern at this time is preventing the introduction and/or spread of the illness within our community while continuing the important work of our university.

If you would like more information about symptoms and prevention of this disease, please visit the CDC website.

As you know, Mercyhurst is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and providing consistent updates to you as the situation evolves. We have launched a website for you to access the latest information and we encourage you to visit it regularly.

I established a task force of senior leadership and subject-matter experts that has been convening since late January, and is now meeting daily to prepare our university’s response to this ongoing and unpredictable public health crisis.

At this time, we are aware of no cases of coronavirus on our campus or in Erie County, although as of this morning, state health officials announced there are 12 confirmed cases in eastern Pennsylvania. There are eight cases in Montgomery County, one each in Wayne, Monroe and Delaware counties, and one in Philadelphia. In addition, three cases were recently identified in Cuyahoga County, Ohio – less than 90 minutes from Erie.We continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with our state and local departments of health.

Our utmost concern at this time is preventing the introduction and/or spread of the illness within our community while continuing the important work of our university. Your cooperation will help to ensure an appropriate response across our institution to this rapidly changing matter.

It is understandable to feel uncertain or anxious during a public health crisis, but the best course of action at this time is to maintain awareness, take preventive measures, and remain calm. We will continue to monitor and update you as the situation evolves. Please know we are doing everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our community.

Thank you and Carpe Diem,

Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D.President

March 11, 2020

Dear Students,

Although the University is not currently aware of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campuses or locations, we cannot emphasize enough the need for each of us to do our part in helping to mitigate the potential introduction and spread of the COVID-19.

Toward that end, the University has implemented and continues to evaluate potential mitigation strategies across campus. These strategies include promoting CDC prevention strategies, increasing our housekeeping efforts, reducing nonessential travel, and limiting on-campus events that involve large numbers of attendees.

At this time, the University is continuing in-person classes; however, alternative mechanisms of instruction remain a possibility as part of our plans in the days and weeks ahead. Faculty will be practicing remote tools in the coming days in the event this contingency is needed.

However, the University is implementing a procedure for “at-risk” students to complete their academic work from home through remote options. Based on the CDC’s most recent guidance (as of March 8), the following individuals are potentially at a higher risk from the virus:

Students in either category or with other warranted reasons who would like to request a temporary remote study option should submit their requests to health@mercyhurst.edu with a subject line “Study from Home Request.” The request should indicate the reason for the request (e.g., age-related, chronic health condition, etc.) and the date the student intends to return to their home. The Health Center and Academic Support staffs will work directly with the individual and their faculty on the request.

The University continues to closely follow developments around the spread of the virus and will keep our community apprised of any additional measures that may be implemented going forward. Information and recommendations will be updated on an ongoing basis and can be found on the university's COVID-19 webpage.

If you would like more information about symptoms and prevention of this disease, please go visit the CDC website.

As always, if you travel to an area that has high risk of COVID-19 and are concerned about symptoms upon your return, please call the Cohen Student Health Center at 814-824-2431; or, on the North East Campus, contact Vineyard Primary Care at 814-877-7711.

Sincerely,

Laura Zirkle, Ph.D.Vice President for Student Life

March 11, 2020

Dear All Employees,

The University is NOT currently aware of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campuses or locations. We have three individuals (two students and one employee) in home self-quarantine related to recent international travel. None of these affected individuals returned to campus following their travels. In recognition of the threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus, the University is implementing mitigation strategies across campus that include communication initiatives, increased cleaning, reduction in non-essential travel, and cancellation of on-campus events which involve large numbers of attendees. Please work with your area Vice President using criteria posted on our COVID-19 webpage to determine whether your event will continue as-is, continue with mitigation strategies, or be cancelled or postponed.

The University is also implementing a procedure for “at-risk” individuals to request the ability to temporarily telecommute from home. The CDC’s Emergency Preparedness Response (HANS) (updated 3/8/2020) identifies the following individuals as being at a higher risk from the virus.

Employees in either category or with other warranted reasons who would like to request a temporary work-from-home option should begin by submitting that request to hrinfo@mercyhurst.edu with a subject line Work From Home Request. The request should indicate the reason for the request (age-related, chronic health condition, other, etc.), the name of the individual’s immediate supervisor and Vice President. The Department of Human Resources will work directly with the individual and their department on the request.

The University continues to closely follow developments around the spread of the virus and will keep the University community apprised of any additional measures that may be implemented going forward. This situation is evolving rapidly and we ask that everyone continue to do their part to help mitigate the spread by following the prevention strategies provided by the CDC.

Please visit the Mercyhurst University COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you,

Jamie BrenemanDirector of Human Resources

March 11, 2020

Dear Mercyhurst Parents,

Although the University is not currently aware of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campuses or locations, we are doing everything possible to mitigate the potential introduction and spread of COVID-19.

In late January, Mercyhurst President Michael Victor established a task force of senior leadership and subject-matter experts that has been meeting regularly, and now is convening daily to evaluate and implement our university’s response to this ongoing and unpredictable public health crisis.

Toward that end, we would like to direct your attention to an online resource we have established to keep you apprised of the latest developments. Information, policies, communications and recommendations are being updated daily and can be found on Mercyhurst's coronavirus webpage.

At this time, the University is continuing in-person classes; however, alternative mechanisms of instruction remain a possibility as part of our plans in the days and weeks ahead. Faculty will be practicing remote tools with our students in the coming days in the event this contingency is needed.

However, the University is implementing a procedure for “at-risk” students to complete their academic work from home through remote options. Based on the CDC’s most recent guidance (as of March 8), the following individuals are potentially at a higher risk from the virus:

Students in either category or with other warranted reasons who would like to request a temporary remote study option have been directed to submit their requests to health@mercyhurst.edu. The Health Center and Academic Support staffs will work directly with the student and their faculty on the request.

We continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in conjunction with our state and local departments of health. Our utmost concern at this time is preventing the introduction and/or spread of the illness within our community while continuing the important work of our university.

If you would like more information about symptoms and prevention of this disease, please visit the CDC website.

Mercyhurst University has been closely monitoring the news about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) over the past few weeks, recognizing that we live in a global culture where individuals on our campus engage in travel, service, and education in many areas of the globe. Please be advised that we have not had any cases of the 2019-nCoV to date on campus or in the Erie community; this is a time to exercise caution, not alarm, and to practice general preventive health measures.

2019-nCoV is a flu-like virus that has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In some individuals, 2019-nCoV appears to cause no or mild symptoms, while in other cases rapid development of symptoms and pneumonia can occur. Almost 9,900 people in China are believed to be infected with 2019-nCoV, with about 130 cases in 22 other countries. As of Jan. 31, the United States has six confirmed cases of the virus.

Based on recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we strongly advise you to seek medical care right away if you:

Have traveled to China, had close contact with someone who has recently traveled to China, or had close contact with any person with a laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV patient provided one of these events occurred within 14 days of your symptoms appearing. (Note: if you had contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV, a fever OR lower respiratory symptoms would indicate the need to seek immediate evaluation.)

Regardless of where you seek medical care—your doctor’s office, the emergency room, the Cohen Student Health Center on campus, etc.—it is very important that you call ahead, before arriving, to allow your medical provider to take necessary precautions in preparing for your arrival. On the Erie Campus, you can reach the Cohen Student Health Center at 814-824-2431; on the North East Campus, you can reach Vineyard Primary Care at 814-877-7711.

In addition, on Jan. 30, the United States Department of State issued a “Level 4” travel advisory for China, its highest level of caution, advising individuals to not travel to China. During this time, Mercyhurst will not fund or support travel abroad in China. If you must travel to China while the Level 4 advisory is in place, you must notify the Cohen Student Health Center (814-824-2431) before departing and upon return to the U.S.

We will continue to follow the situation closely and update the campus community as needed. We encourage you to stay informed, maintain a balanced perspective, take preventive health measures, and avoid panic. You can review this sheet from the American College Health Association for additional information. In addition, please recognize that for those in our Mercyhurst family who come from China, or have loved ones and colleagues there, this can be a particularly stressful time. We ask you to extend your support.